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Elephant Garlic Allium ampeloprasum

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Allium baeticum
  • Allium rotundum
Phonetic Spelling
AL-ee-um am-pel-oh-PRAY-sum
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Wild leek is a large genus of about 400 species. They are biennial bulbs in the Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis)  family native to Southern Europe, Asia, and Macronesia but are found all over the world.  The genus is divided into three different groups: Porrum Group is leeks grown for the edible stems. Ampeloprassum Group is elephant garlic and levant garlic. Kurrat Group is also known as Egyptian Leek or Salad Leek but grown mainly for the leaves.

Plant in the full sun in high organic matter, consistently moist, well-drained loamy soils in the edible garden.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  Onion maggots and thrips are occasional pests and slugs can cause damage to young seedlings. Rust, mildew, and leaf spot are occasional problems. Rot can occur in overly moist or poorly drained soils.  

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Giant Musselburgh'
'Giant Musselburgh'
Tags:
#biennial#edible flowers#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#vegetable garden#edible stems#cool season vegetable#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#black walnut toxicity tolerant#edible bulbs#vole resistant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Giant Musselburgh'
'Giant Musselburgh'
Tags:
#biennial#edible flowers#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#vegetable garden#edible stems#cool season vegetable#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#black walnut toxicity tolerant#edible bulbs#vole resistant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Allium
    Species:
    ampeloprasum
    Family:
    Amaryllidaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Biennial
    Bulb
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Macronesia, Mediterranean, Asia
    Edibility:
    Flowers have a mildly bitter flavor and like young leaves can be eaten in small quantities raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked in tea and soups. Bulbs and stems can also be eaten raw or cooked. However, the plant also has poisonous characteristics as noted in the "Poisonous to Humans" section of this record. Toxicity can depend on the age of the person or animal, the age of the plant, the part of the plant ingested, how much is ingested, whether the person or animal has sensitivities or allergies, whether it's eaten raw or cooked, and so forth. Consult with a medical professional for further details.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Cool Season Vegetable
    Edible
    Poisonous
    Vegetable
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Umbel
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Clusters of small flowers bloom seasonally second-year only. Color varies as to species.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaf varies as to species. Generally linear in shape with entire margins and green color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    White
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Thick tasty edible stems.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Voles
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), blood in urine, weakness, high heart rate, panting
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    N-propyl disulfide
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No